Tyco and other companies that manufactured and marketed vaginal mesh and mesh sling products became defendants in one of the largest mass torts in United States history. Thousands of women experienced complications following a procedure to correct their pelvic organ prolapse or incontinence. These complications occurred because of problems with the polypropylene mesh used in the procedure.
Now, women who have suffered adverse consequences from these devices are pursuing transvaginal mesh lawsuits in state or federal court against the manufacturing companies, alleging the mesh causes serious complications. Many plaintiffs required surgery to repair the damage they suffered. In some cases, it is impossible to completely remove the mesh. This makes it difficult to revise the previous repair and address the original issue.
If you underwent a procedure utilizing Tyco IVS Tunneller Mesh and suffered serious complications, you may be eligible to file for compensation. A Tyco IVS Tunneller Mesh lawsuit lawyer can determine if you qualify for compensation for your medical bills, missed wages and work-related benefits, pain and suffering, and other damages.
At Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., our defective medical device team is standing by to answer your questions. Give us a call today at 800-550-0000 to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our vaginal mesh lawsuit lawyers. We can help you understand your legal options and explain whether or not you have a case for compensation. If so, we will help you hold the device manufacturer responsible for your injuries.
What Issues Occurred With the Tyco IVS Tunneller Mesh?
Manufacturers designed transvaginal mesh products, including the Tyco IVS Tunneller Mesh, to make it easier and less invasive to treat a number of issues women face. These common issues include stress urinary incontinence, mixed incontinence, and vaginal vault prolapse.
By using a transvaginal polypropylene mesh product in these procedures, doctors can offer an alternative to traditional open abdominal surgery. However, many women suffer complications after a procedure using this type of mesh. Women who have received Tyco IVS Tunneller Mesh as part of their medical treatment have experienced worrying side effects that include:
- Pain during sex and other activities;
- Scarring in the vagina;
- Recurrence of the pelvic prolapse;
- Urinary incontinence and other issues;
- Infection around the mesh;
- Erosion of the mesh; and
- Mesh that becomes embedded in other tissues.
Women who experience severe side effects of a failed vaginal sling or other procedure involving transvaginal mesh may require open abdomen revision surgery, in addition to medical procedures to correct the original problem. In some cases, this revision surgery is not able to effectively remove all of the mesh. Some women require more than one excision surgery or they must live with the mesh embedded in their pelvic tissue.
If you experienced any of these side effects after a transvaginal mesh procedure and required additional surgery, contact our attorneys today. Let us review your case and determine if Tyco is responsible for your losses.
When Did the Federal Government Take Action on Polypropylene Transvaginal Mesh Products?
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) first spoke out about transvaginal mesh after receiving a number of reports of adverse events. In 2008, the organization issued a public health notification, warning doctors and patients alike that the mesh can cause serious complications when doctors use it to repair pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence.
The FDA issued a second warning in 2011. This communication also included a white paper explaining more about the risks associated with the mesh. In this white paper, the FDA explained its position that transvaginal mesh in pelvic organ prolapse procedures increased the risk of complications, but showed no benefits over more traditional repairs. The FDA now advises surgeons to avoid the use of transvaginal mesh during pelvic organ prolapse repairs unless absolutely necessary.
What Is the Current Status of the Tyco IVS Tunneller Mesh Lawsuits?
The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated many of the pending lawsuits about transvaginal mesh into a single multidistrict litigation (MDL) in 2012. This mass tort represented claims against seven different companies and eventually grew to more than 70,000 claims. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia heard the pretrial proceedings and the bellwether trial for Multidistrict Litigation No. 2187. U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided.
While most MDLs undergo pretrial proceedings, the discovery process, and the bellwether trials before each case either settles or returns to its original jurisdiction, the massive size of this case caused trepidation for the judge.
Instead of sending each case and claimant back to the court where they filed it, he instead urged the mesh manufacturers to offer settlements. This would prevent a bottleneck in the courts, ensure every claimant received some sort of payout, and prevent the medical device companies from having to file bankruptcy. In most cases, this worked. The companies paid out to those who filed suits or created payment accounts to provide for those who suffered complications.
Covidien, the parent company of Tyco Healthcare, also decided to reach a settlement with many who filed claims. The settlement amount was not disclosed.
Just because many of the cases against the transvaginal mesh manufacturers settled does not mean you lost your opportunity to file a claim against these companies. We can help you understand if you are eligible for compensation based on the details of your case. Call us today for a free consultation and case analysis.
Talk to a Tyco IVS Tunneller Mesh Lawsuit Lawyer at Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., Today
At Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., our mass tort attorneys know what it takes to win compensation in a case like this. While it may be one of the largest—if not the largest—MDL in history, we will work with you individually to help you understand your legal options for compensation.
We can determine if you have a case, collect supporting evidence, file a claim, and help you recover the compensation you deserve. We do it all on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we get you the money you need. Call us today at 800-550-0000 to schedule your free consultation and case review.
